Insect and microorganism control for buildings

ABSTRACT

The intrusion of insects into a home or similar building is controlled by utilizing insect and/or microorganism controlling plastic materials in the construction of the building. The insect and/or microorganism controlling plastic building materials are manufactured by first blending one or more plastic resins with one or more insect and/or microorganism controlling chemical agents to form a blended plastic resin/insect and/or microorganism controlling chemical agent material. The blended plastic resin/insect and/or microorganism controlling chemical agent material is then utilized to manufacture plastic films, sheets, non-woven fabrics, woven fabrics, insulating foams, flooring materials, wall covering materials, and the like utilizing conventional manufacturing techniques.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part application under 37 C.F.R. §1.63of application Ser. No. 09/478,907 filed Jan. 7, 2000, currentlypending.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the prevention ofdamage and other problems caused by the entry of insects andmicroorganisms into buildings, and more particularly to plasticmaterials having one or more chemical agents contained therein which areadapted for applications in and around buildings to prevent insect- andmicroorganism-related problems.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] As is well known, termites, carpenter ants, and other wood eatinginsects annually cause hundreds of millions of dollars in damage tohomes and similar buildings. Fleas and ticks similarly cause injury topets, working animals such as hunting dogs, livestock, and humans.Insects such as roaches and houseflies, while not causing direct damage,are considered to be disease carriers. For these and other reasons thetotal exclusion of insects from residences and similar buildings isconsidered to be highly desirable.

[0004] Heretofore insect control has generally been accomplished byspraying or otherwise applying insecticides and similar chemical agentsin and around the building to be protected. Termites and similar insectsare sometimes controlled by applying chemical agents beneath the surfaceof the soil surrounding free standing buildings such as homes, and thelike. However, notwithstanding numerous advances in the art of insectcontrol over the years, insects continue to cause substantial problemsfor owners and occupants of homes and similar buildings. Thus, the needexists for still further improvements in the art.

[0005] As is also well known, the presence of microorganisms withinhomes and other buildings can lead to serious problems. For example,over the past several years damage caused by black mold has resulted inmillions of dollars in insurance claims. Prior to the present inventionthere has not been an effective means of preventing the entry ofmicroorganisms into buildings.

[0006] In accordance with the broader aspects of the present invention,one or more insect and/or microorganism controlling chemical agents areincorporated into plastic film, plastic sheeting, non-woven fabricsformed from plastic materials, woven fabrics formed from plasticmaterials, and other plastic materials. The plastic materials having theinsect and/or microorganism controlling chemical agents containedtherein are then used in the construction and maintenance of homes andsimilar buildings. For example, plastic material having insect and/ormicroorganism controlling chemical agents contained therein can beutilized as a vapor barrier between the foundation of the building andthe structure constructed thereon. Plastic material having insect and/ormicroorganism controlling agents contained therein can also be used as awrap surrounding the exterior walls of the building. Plastic materialhaving insect and/or microorganism controlling agents contained thereincan also be used within the interior of the building for applicationssuch as flooring materials, wall coverings, insulation materials, etc.Plastic material having insect and/or microorganism controlling agentscontained therein may also be deployed as a wrap around the insulationbatts that are installed in the building.

[0007] In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, plasticmaterials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane,polystyrene, etc. are doped with the insect controlling chemical agentFipronil, the chemical formula for which is5-amino-1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethyl) phenyl)-4-((1, R, S)trifluoromethyl)sulfinyl)-1-H-pyrazole-3-carbonitrile and are therebyrendered insecticidal. The insect controlling chemical agent ispreferably added to the resin which is utilized in the manufacture ofplastic building materials prior to the manufacturing steps which areemployed to convert the resin into the desired plastic product.Subsequently, the plastic material having the insect controllingchemical agent contained therein is utilized in the construction andmaintenance of homes and similar buildings. When properly employed, theinsect controlling plastic materials of the present invention can besuccessful in totally excluding insects from homes and similarbuildings.

[0008] In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, plasticmaterials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane,polystyrene, etc. are doped with the insect controlling chemical agentsold by Techmer PM, LLC under the designation PM 12211E63 and arethereby rendered insecticidal. The insect controlling chemical agent ispreferably added to the resin which is utilized in the manufacture ofplastic building materials prior to the manufacturing steps which areemployed to convert the resin into the desired plastic product.Subsequently, the plastic material having the insect controllingchemical agent contained therein is utilized in the construction andmaintenance of homes and similar buildings. When properly employed, theinsect controlling plastic materials of the present invention can besuccessful in totally excluding insects from homes and similarbuildings.

[0009] In accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, plasticmaterials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane,polystyrene, etc. are doped with the microorganism controlling chemicalagent sold by Techmer PM, LLC under the designation PM 12224E63 and arethereby rendered antimicrobial. The microorganism controlling chemicalagent is preferably added to the resin which is utilized in themanufacture of plastic building materials prior to the manufacturingsteps which are employed to convert the resin into the desired plasticproduct. Subsequently, the plastic material having the microorganismcontrolling chemical agent contained therein is utilized in theconstruction and maintenance of homes and similar buildings. Whenproperly employed, the microorganism controlling plastic materials ofthe present invention can be successful in totally preventing damage tohomes and similar buildings due to black mold and other microorganisms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be hadby reference to the following Detailed Description when taken inconnection with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

[0011]FIG. 1 is flow chart illustrating the broader aspects of theinvention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a first application ofthe invention;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of a second application ofthe invention;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a third application ofthe invention;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of a fourth application ofthe invention;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of a fifth application ofthe invention;

[0017]FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of a sixth application ofthe invention;

[0018]FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of a seventh application ofthe invention;

[0019]FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of an eighth application ofthe invention; and

[0020]FIG. 10 is a flow chart further illustrating the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Referring now to the Drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 10thereof, the practice of the present invention begins with the blendingof one or more insect and/or microorganism controlling chemical agentsinto one or more plastic resins. The chemical agent or agents areselected from the group of insect and/or microorganism controllingchemical agents having an effective life extending over several decades.The amount of the chemical agent or agents to be blended with theplastic resin or resins is likewise selected to prolong the effectivelife of the combined material in controlling insects and/ormicroorganisms. The plastic resin or resins utilized in the practice ofthe invention are selected from those materials conventionally utilizedin building construction, such as polyethylene, polypropylene,polyurethane, polystyrene, etc.

[0022] After the selected insect and/or microorganism controllingchemical agent or agents and the selected plastic resin or resins havebeen blended, the blended material is utilized in the manufacture ofinsect controlling plastic building materials. Preferably, conventionalmanufacturing techniques are employed in the practice of the invention.For example, the blended plastic resin/insect and/or microorganismcontrolling chemical agent material may be utilized in the manufactureof plastic films by extrusion or other well known film manufacturingtechniques. The blended plastic resin/insect and/or microorganismcontrolling chemical agent material may be utilized in the manufactureof non-woven fabrics utilizing well known techniques. Likewise, theblended plastic resin/insect and/or microorganism controlling chemicalagent material may be utilized in the manufacture of plastic foamsutilized in conventional foam manufacturing techniques. The blendedplastic resin/insect and/or microorganism controlling chemical agentmaterial may be utilized in the manufacture of flooring materials and/orwall coverings also utilizing well known manufacturing techniques. Theblended plastic resin/insect and/or microorganism controlling chemicalagent material may be used in the manufacture of woven fabrics alsousing well known manufacturing techniques.

[0023] The resulting insect and/or microorganism controlling plasticbuilding materials are ultimately utilized in the construction of homesand similar buildings in accordance with well established constructionpractices. For example, insect and/or microorganism controlling plasticfilm manufactured in accordance with the present invention may beutilized as a moisture barrier between the foundation and the subfloorof a home or similar building or between the underlying earth and thesubfloor of a home or similar building depending on the particularconstruction technique that is utilized. Plastic films and/or non-wovenplastic fabrics constructed in accordance with the present invention maybe utilized as a wrap surrounding the exterior walls of a home orsimilar building. Insect and/or microorganism controlling plastic foammanufactured in accordance with the present invention may be utilized asinsulation in the floors, walls, and/or ceilings of a home or similarbuilding. Insect and/or microorganism controlling flooring materialsand/or wall coverings may be utilized within the interior of a home orsimilar building. Insect and/or microorganism controlling materials maybe used to wrap insulation batts which are installed in buildings eitherduring construction or as a part of maintenance.

[0024]FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 illustrate particularapplications of the present invention. Referring particularly to FIG. 2,there is shown a concrete slab 10 of the type commonly utilized in theconstruction of homes and similar buildings. The slab 10 hasconventional large apertures 12 and small apertures 14 formed therein atdiverse locations. The apertures 12 and 14 as well as other conventionalapertures formed through the slab 10 are utilized to serve as drainsfrom and as plumbing and electrical supplies to the building constructedon the slab 10.

[0025] A moisture barrier 16 is positioned over the top surface of theslab 10 prior to the construction of a building thereon. The moisturebarrier 16 is manufactured in accordance with the present invention andas such comprises a plastic resin/insect and/or microorganismcontrolling chemical agent blend which is utilized to manufacture themoisture barrier 16 in accordance with conventional moisture barriermanufacturing techniques. For example, the moisture barrier 16 may bemanufactured utilized conventional extrusion techniques. Othermanufacturing techniques for manufacturing the moisture barrier 16 willreadily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

[0026] After the moisture barrier 16 is installed on the slab 10 theremainder of the building comprising a home or other similar building isconstructed thereon. As is well known, insects such as termites,carpenter ants, and other insects frequently enter a home or similarbuilding through cracks or spaces which exist between the foundationslab and the building constructed thereon. Similarly, microorganismssuch as black mold by enter the building through cracks or spaces whichexist between the foundation slab and the building constructed thereon.In the practice of the present invention such problem is eliminatedbecause insects and/or microorganisms entering the space between theslab 10 and building constructed thereon are killed by contact with themoisture barrier 16 having one or more insect and/or microorganismcontrolling chemical agents therein.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a pier and beam-typefoundation 20 of the type commonly utilized in the construction of homesand similar buildings. The pier and beam foundation comprises aperimeter wall 22 and a plurality of piers 24 which are typically, butnot necessarily exclusively located within the boundary defined by theperimeter wall. The foundation 20 is provided with a moisture barrier 26constructed in accordance with the present invention which is locatedbetween the underlying earth 28 and the subfloor of the building to beconstructed on the foundation 20.

[0028] The moisture barrier 26 preferably comprises a layer of plasticfilm having one or more insect and/or microorganism controlling chemicalagents contained therein. The moisture barrier 26 is manufactured from ablend of one or more plastic resins and one or more insect and/ormicroorganism controlling agents. The blended plastic resin/insectand/or microorganism controlling chemical agent material is formed intoa plastic sheet comprising the moisture barrier 26 utilizingconventional manufacturing techniques. For example, the moisture barrier26 may be manufactured utilizing conventional extrusion techniques orother conventional techniques well known in the industry formanufacturing plastic films and sheets.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a home or similar building 30which has been constructed in accordance with conventional home buildingtechniques. The building 30 includes a foundation 32 which may beprovided with a moisture barrier of the type illustrated in FIG. 1 orFIG. 2 and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. The building30 further comprises a plurality of walls 34. The walls 34 are providedwith a wrap 36 manufactured in accordance with the present invention.

[0030] The wrap 36 comprises plastic film or sheeting having one or moreinsect controlling chemical agents contained therein. Preferably, thewrap 36 is manufactured from a blend of one or more plastic resins andone or more insect and/or microorganism controlling chemical agents. Theblended plastic resins/insect and/or microorganism controlling chemicalagent material is formed into plastic sheeting utilized in techniquescommonly employed in such manufacture.

[0031] For example, the plastic film or sheeting comprising the wrap 36may be manufactured utilizing conventional extrusion techniques. Thewrap 36 may also comprise a non-woven fabric having one or more insectand/or microorganism controlling chemical agents contained therein, inwhich case the wrap 36 is manufactured utilizing techniquesconventionally employed in the manufacture of plastic non-woven fabrics.More specifically, the wrap 36 may be of the type sold by Dupont underthe trademark “TYVEK”® which is modified to include one or more insectand/or microorganism controlling chemical agents. The wrap 36 may alsocomprise the non-woven material sold by Reemay under the mark “TYPAR”which is modified to include one or more insect and/or microorganismcontrolling chemical agents.

[0032] As is well known, insects and/or microorganisms often enter ahouse or similar building through cracks and apertures formed in thewalls thereof. When the wrap 36 of the present invention is employed,insects gaining access to the house or building 30 through the wallsthereof immediately engage the wrap 36, whereupon such insects arekilled. Similarly, microorganisms are killed before they can enter thebuilding. Thus, the wrap 36 is useful in preventing insects and/ormicroorganisms from entering the house or building 30.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a construction 40 comprisingthe wall, ceiling, or floor of the type utilized in the construction ofhomes and similar buildings. The construction 40 includes a plurality ofstructural members 42 comprising wall studs, ceiling joists, floorjoists, etc. Between the structural members 42 there is providedsections of plastic foam insulation 46 constructed in accordance withthe present invention.

[0034] The plastic foam insulation in preferably manufactured utilizinga blend of one or more plastic resins and one or more insect and/ormicroorganism controlling chemical agents. The blended plasticresin/insect and/or microorganism controlling chemical agent material ismanufactured into plastic foam utilizing conventional plastic foammanufacturing techniques. Other plastic insulation manufacturingtechniques may be utilized in the practice of the present invention, ifdesired.

[0035] As is well known, insects and/or microorganisms often gain accessto the interior of a home or similar building through the walls,ceiling, or floor thereof. When the present invention is employed,insects attempting to enter a home or similar building through thewalls, ceiling, or floor thereof immediately engage the plasticinsulating material 46, whereupon such insects are immediately killed.Similarly, microorganisms are killed before they enter the building.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a section 50 comprising partof the interior of a home or similar building. The construction 50includes a plurality of walls 52 and a floor 54, all of which areconstructed in accordance with conventional building techniques. Thewalls 52 of the section 50 may be provided with a wall covering 56manufactured in accordance with the present invention. Likewise, thefloor 54 may be provided with a floor covering 58 manufactured inaccordance with the present invention.

[0037] The wall covering 56 is preferably manufactured utilizing a blendof one or more plastic resins and one or more insect and/ormicroorganism controlling chemical agents. The blended plasticresin/insect and/or microorganism controlling chemical agent material ismanufactured into wall covering utilizing conventional wall coveringmanufacturing techniques. Likewise, the blended plastic resin/insectand/or microorganism controlling chemical agent material is manufacturedinto floor covering utilizing conventional floor covering manufacturingtechniques.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a length of insulatingmaterial 70 of the type that is commonly manufactured from fiberglass,rock wool, and similar insulating materials. The length of insulatingmaterial 70 takes the form of a batt which is typically dimensioned forinstallation between the studs or joists of a building. As is wellknown, the batt comprising the length of insulating material 70 may beencased in a plastic film wrap 72 formed from polyethylene,polypropylene, and/or similar plastic materials. The use of the wrap 72is particularly advantageous in the case of fiberglass insulation inthat it protects against painful skin irritations on the part ofinsulation installing personnel.

[0039] In accordance with the present invention, the plastic film wrap72 surrounding the length of insulating material 70 is manufacturedutilizing a blend of one or more plastic resins and one or more insectand/or microorganism controlling chemical agents. The blended plasticresin/insect and/or microorganism controlling chemical agent material ismanufactured into plastic film utilizing conventional plastic filmmanufacturing techniques. When installed in a building, the plastic wrap72 prevents insects and/or microorganisms from entering the buildingthrough the space between the structural members comprising the buildingand the insulating material installed therebetween.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a section of woven plasticfabric 80 constructed in accordance with the present invention. Thewoven plastic fabric 80 is preferably manufactured utilizing a blend ofone or more plastic resins and one or more insect and/or microorganismcontrolling chemical agents. The blended plastic resin/insect and/ormicroorganism controlling chemical agent material is manufactured intowoven plastic fabric utilizing conventional woven plastic fabricmanufacturing techniques. For example, the fabric may be manufactured byfirst forming the blended plastic resin/insect and/or microorganismcontrolling chemical agent material into a length of plastic film. Next,the plastic film is slit to provide a multiplicity of plastic filaments.The plastic filaments are thereafter woven to form the insectcontrolling woven plastic fabric of the present invention. Other wellknown techniques for manufacturing woven plastic fabrics may also beutilized in the practice of the invention, if desired.

[0041] Having reference to FIG. 9, there is shown a woven plastic fabric90 having a layer of insect controlling plastic material formed thereon.In accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 9, the woven plastic fabric 90may be conventional in nature, and may be manufactured using any of thevarious well known techniques for fabricating woven plastic fabrics. Thelayer 92 is preferably manufacturing utilizing a blend of one or moreplastic resins and one or more insect and/or microorganism controllingchemical agents. The blended plastic resin/insect and/or microorganismcontrolling chemical agent material is manufactured into insect and/ormicroorganism controlling plastic coating material utilizingconventional plastic coating material manufacturing techniques. Theinsect and/or microorganism controlling plastic coating material is thenapplied to the fabric 90 using conventional techniques.

[0042] For example, the layer 92 may be formed on the fabric 90 by meansof extrusion, coating, spraying, etc. Alternatively, the layer 92 may beseparately formed then secured on the fabric 90 utilizing conventionalheat sealing or adhesive bonding techniques. Optionally, the layer 92may be provided with apertures to permit the flow of water therethrough.

[0043] Referring again to FIG. 7, a length of woven plastic fabric 100incorporating the present invention may be deployed around the exteriorof the building either during the construction of the building or as apart of maintenance procedures. The length of woven plastic fabric 100is preferably manufactured either as illustrated in FIG. 8 or asillustrated in FIG. 9. Regardless of the technique utilized in itsmanufacture, the length of woven plastic fabric 100 comprises an insectand/or microorganism controlling layer which may be deployed on top ofor somewhat under the surface of the soil surrounding a building.Preferably, the length of insect and/or microorganism controlling wovenplastic fabric 100 is deployed in accordance with well known techniquesconventionally utilized in the control of termites and other insects.

[0044] Those skilled in the art will appreciate and understand the factthat the present invention comprises a variety of building materialseach manufactured from a blended plastic resin/insect and/ormicroorganism controlling chemical agent material which is transformedinto a variety of building materials utilizing conventionalmanufacturing techniques. Each of the building materials manufactured inaccordance with the invention contains one or more insect and/ormicroorganism controlling chemical agents. Thus, when building materialsmanufactured in accordance with the present invention are utilized inthe construction of a house or similar building, such materials denyaccess to the house or building by termites, carpenter ants, fleas,ticks, roaches, houseflies, other undesirable insects, black mold, andother undesirable microorganisms.

[0045] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have beenillustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoingDetailed Description, it will be understand that the invention is notlimited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerousrearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elementswithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of protecting buildings from intrusionby microorganism comprising the steps of: blending at least one plasticresin with at least one microorganism controlling chemical agent;utilizing the blended the plastic resin/microorganism controllingchemical agent material to manufacture an microorganism controllingplastic building material; and utilizing the microorganism controllingplastic building material in the construction of a home or similarbuilding.
 2. The method of protecting building from intrusion bymicroorganisms according to claim 1 wherein the blended plasticresin/microorganism controlling chemical agent material is utilized inthe manufacture of an microorganism controlling plastic film, andwherein the microorganism controlling plastic film is installed as avapor barrier beneath the subfloor of a building.
 3. The method ofprotecting buildings from intrusion by microorganisms according to claim1 wherein the blended plastic resin/microorganism controlling chemicalagent material is utilized in the manufacture of an microorganismcontrolling plastic film, and wherein the microorganism controllingplastic film is utilized as a wrap surrounding the walls of thebuilding.
 4. The method of protecting buildings from intrusion bymicroorganisms according to claim 1 wherein the blended plasticresin/microorganism controlling chemical agent material is utilized inthe manufacture of an microorganism controlling non-woven fabric, andwherein the microorganism controlling non-woven plastic fabric isutilized as a wrap around the walls of the building.
 5. The method ofprotecting buildings from intrusion by microorganisms according to claim1 wherein the blended plastic resin/microorganism controlling chemicalagent material is utilized in the manufacture of plastic foaminsulation, and wherein the microorganism controlling plastic insulationis utilized between the structural components of the building.
 6. Themethod of protecting buildings from intrusion by microorganismsaccording to claim 1 wherein the blended plastic resin/microorganismcontrolling chemical agent material is utilized in the manufacture ofwall covering, and wherein the microorganism controlling wall coveringis utilized on the interior walls of the building.
 7. The method ofprotecting buildings from intrusion by microorganisms according to claim1 wherein the blended plastic resin/microorganism controlling chemicalagent material is utilized in the manufacture of floor covering, andwherein the microorganism controlling floor covering is utilized on theinterior floors of the building.
 8. The method of protecting buildingsfrom intrusion by microorganisms according to claim 1 wherein theblended plastic resin/microorganism controlling chemical agent materialis utilized in the manufacture of plastic film, and wherein the plasticfilm is deployed as an microorganism controlling plastic wrap around abatt of insulation.
 9. The method of protecting buildings from intrusionby microorganisms according to claim 1 wherein the blended plasticresin/microorganism controlling chemical agent material is utilized inthe manufacture of woven plastic fabric, and wherein the woven plasticfabric is deployed around the exterior of a building to prevent theentry of microorganisms therein.